AuntyM
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Looking for a few good fish!
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Reged: 05/07/01
Posts: 11594
Loc: Harstine Island
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Caveman is tired of dragging the motorhome AND truck to launch the boat, so we bought a used camper. Not having done the camper thing for many moons, we realize the F350 needs some stuff.
We have the wrong tiedown system. It was thrown in with the deal. Oh yeah, it's a 1996 S&S 9 1/2 foot. Very roomy and very well insulated 4 season camper in above average condition.
I'm trying to convince Caveman to buy the Torklift (around $600 without the fancy release mounts) but Mr. Already has too many projects says he can make his own. Happijack, the other so called frame mount system doesn't even make one for our truck. So is there another under bed system out there besides those two?
Ok, next up, (I've been nagging about this one for a couple years) after we get the tranny service, what tranny oil cooler system do you all prefer? Looking for reccomendations. Yes, he'll be putting it on himself.
Lastly, he says we need air ride. Any thoughts here? Yes, he will also be installing that too.
Thanks in advance. It's a 1997 F350 if that matters in your suggestions.
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http://www.ccapnw.org
Deficit neutral, the new "big lie"
"Don't fall in!" Doug Richert Sr. 10/18/2008 
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FireFish
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Egg & Rag Master
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Reged: 11/19/02
Posts: 1469
Loc: Puyallup
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M.... Welcome to the Truck/Camper world. I simply went with the TorkLift tie downs because it was simple and not extremely time consuming. As for Air Ride, I went with FireStone brand air-bags that installed pretty easy. They have a new style, well new a few years ago that are completely bolt-on, no drilling required. They were reasonably priced, can't remember exactly, but must have been pretty good or I would not have bought them. I put them on my F250, and they do the job. My camper is 3400lbs. loaded, hauls it no problem. If Caveman is building his own tie-downs that's just less time fishing. They already have good tie down systems out there. Tell him to not re-invent the wheel, we're all happy with the first one the cave-men came out with.
FireFish Out... 
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Member of Grays Harbor Salmon Management Committee:
1. Working to Unite Sporties to get Issues
Resolved...
2. Working Hard to Get Back Our 50% of the Bolt
Decision...
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Klicknative
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River flogger
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Reged: 03/16/05
Posts: 851
Loc: Goldendale
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If you don't get the compressor with the air bags run the air lines up front instead of to the rear bumper. I built a little braket under the hood for mine. Beats getting under the camper to air up the bags.
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When the going gets tough, the tough go fishing
Team C4 for C404
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Klicknative
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River flogger
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Reged: 03/16/05
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Loc: Goldendale
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Almost forgot, if you put the compressor on later you'll have to run the air lines up front anyway.
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When the going gets tough, the tough go fishing
Team C4 for C404
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4Salt
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dual red striper
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Reged: 01/18/02
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Loc: Lynnwood, WA
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I had a 1992 S&S 9 1/2 footer for 5 years Aunty... you will definitely like that camper! I carried mine on a '95 Chevy 3/4 ton K2500 with a 454, overload springs and heavy-duty gas shocks. I just used a product called "Happy Jacks" instead of the frame mount tie-downs. Never had any problems?
For extra's... you'll want to get a battery isolator installed that will allow your truck's alternator to charge the camper battery while you're driving, but disconnects it when you're parked. Looks like you already have electric jacks... so that's good.
Good luck with the new camper... I still miss mine.
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Ronco Pro-Staff
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jimh
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Salted and Unsalted Boater!
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Reged: 10/27/02
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Loc: Area 8.1, 8.2, 9 or an S river...
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Torq lift mounts are the best in that they connect to the frame instead of the bed. From all I've heard this is the best. I'd go with fast guns because they allow you to adjust the tension more easily. If the tie downs are too tight, the frame of the camper won't flex correctly and will bend or pull out the tie down mounts on the camper.
Air bags or timbrens both work, but some people actually have less stability when they add them since it keeps the overloads from engaging. In that case, you can add bump stop extensions.
Tires are one more thing that you didn't mention, but are very important. You should have the highest load capacity E tires. You can weigh at a truck scale to see what the weight per tire is.
BTW, is that a short bed truck? If yes, the camper might be too long. The issue is the center of gravity is farther back than it should be if it is too long and/or not made for a short bed.
You can find out more at http://www.natcoa-forum.com/index.php?http://www.natcoa-forum.com/ and http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/27.cfm
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Wear a PFD if you want to live.
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donno
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steelie
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Reged: 06/06/03
Posts: 213
Loc: Baker Prairie
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Hands down the best thing I ever put on my truck was the airbags. I ran the lines to the back and through the license plate holes. I didn't opt for the on board compressor so I have a cheap Wally World one that plugs into the cig lighter. (I also made an adapter to plug it into the trailer wiring.) It's nice to use the airbags to help level the camper. I bought my airbags from schwabb and installed them myself.
I made my frame mount tie downs because I was to cheap to buy them and I enjoy doing projects like that.
And the tire suggestion is spot on. Make sure you have a tire that is rated for the load.
And last but not least keep your hood clean and waxed. With an extended cab camper on a regular cab truck you'll have to watch the reflection of the stop lights on the hood because you can't see them. :-)
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Marty
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redneck yachter
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Reged: 07/17/00
Posts: 19459
Loc: Olympic Peninsula
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That camper is to big for your truck.. I have a solution  Jk .. nice camper!! I been looking but have my funds committed elsewhere for a few more days
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Marty
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Pay it forward
Catching is a skilled art built on fishing experiences
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AuntyM
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Looking for a few good fish!
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Reged: 05/07/01
Posts: 11594
Loc: Harstine Island
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Jim, the picture angle is weird, it's a full size. You can see the little red arrow on the camper is right where it's supposed to be (forward of rear axle) according to Ford.
I'm waiting to hear from a couple of Ebay sellers on the Torklift to see if they have the one for our truck. Happijack doesn't make their product for our truck. Ford won't reccommend them because they aren't frame mounted. If Caveman had the time to make his own, he would. He already came up with a design but with all the projects he's got going now, it would be 2009 by the time he got them made.
Rather than get the fastguns, were going with the torklift derringers. Much cheaper for the set and we already have the other stuff to put the system together.
Caveman is still shopping for the air suspension and hasn't decided on one. I'm hoping he just goes to a tire store and gets them to install but I won't hold my breath.
He isn't going to do anything about tires, since the camper will be off the truck for all but a few weekends a year. We use it for hauling, stump pulling, road surface packing and a variety of man jobs that require those fat off road tires.
He also did the calculations on weight prior to the purchase and we came in way under the max. That's why we stuck with the 9 1/2 foot.
We fought for a couple of weeks because he had his heart set on finding a used Bigfoot. RIGHT! Most were selling more than double their listed NADA value and the two we looked at weren't very well taken care of.
The one we bought was right at NADA, and I like the fact that you can use it in below freezing conditions.
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http://www.ccapnw.org
Deficit neutral, the new "big lie"
"Don't fall in!" Doug Richert Sr. 10/18/2008
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AuntyM
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Looking for a few good fish!
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Reged: 05/07/01
Posts: 11594
Loc: Harstine Island
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Just heard that one Ebay guy has the torklift for our truck at $387 for the set of front and rear and free shipping, no tax.
Way cheaper than the local dealers.
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http://www.ccapnw.org
Deficit neutral, the new "big lie"
"Don't fall in!" Doug Richert Sr. 10/18/2008
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Desertdog
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Road Warrior
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Reged: 11/11/00
Posts: 2442
Loc: Nevada??
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Can't add much to the list. I put the firestone airbags on and it was easy enough. Same for the frame mount tie downs.. think it was Torklift. Had to have a right angle drill to do the frame mounts. S&S make a very nice camper.. It was my first choice but someone thought the front looked to funny
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Grandpa to 9 boys 8 girls and 1 angel
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